Seasonal depression, also called the winter blues, is when people feel more sad or depressed than usual during the cold winter months. For high schoolers in particular, this can translate to a lack of motivation to do schoolwork, engage with friends or participate in activities during the winter. With things starting to warm up around Reston, Seahawks are starting to feel a boost in their mood after a long winter.
Winter blues are common in Americans and are said to feel more mild than depression. They can, however, take a more severe form called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, both winter blues and SAD are caused by a decreased amount of sunlight in the winter. Being in the sun causes the yeast extracts that create serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls mood, to begin production. Less sunlight or time outside can lead to less serotonin production, which can cause the winter blues that so many experience.
In an Instagram post, 72% of respondents said that they often felt ‘down’ during the winter months. Once things started to warm up, many found themselves in higher spirits. 75% of those surveyed said that they were feeling better than they did when it was cold out.
Sophomore Emilie Fiske commented on her experience with winter blues, saying, “I feel a lot less motivated in the winter months, especially when the sky is gray and it’s rainy or cold. Now that there is [more] sunlight and the days are longer, I feel like I can do more with my day and be productive.”
Now that it’s starting to warm up, hopefully more Seahawks are starting to feel a boost in their mood and can feel motivated to power through the last section of the year.
